Marty
09-05-2006, 04:51 PM
Kansas City,MO -- The ban on pit bull dogs in Independence is supposed to allow current owners to keep their dogs. But many of those owners feel like they still have to give up their dogs, KMBC's Martin Augustine reported.
The new ordinance forbids any new pit bulls in the city. Current owners can keep their dogs provided that they carry an extra $300,000 in liability insurance, among other things.
Jessica Poindexter told Augustine that she is having a difficult time finding insurance, and she said she is not alone.
It's a blow to my heart, just the fact that they banned them, and that we have to do this and try and find somebody," Poindexter said. "It's extremely frustrating."
Augustine reported that under the new ordinance, pit bull owners have to register and have microchips implanted in their dogs, the animals must be spayed or neutered, and owners must carry extra liability insurance.
A spokeswoman for Allstate Insurance told Augustine that the company will not write a new policy if it is known that a pit bull is in the house. She said the main reason is the potential for risk.
"It's like they're trying to make us eliminate them altogether," Poindexter said.
Poindexter said she and other pit bull owners will try to overturn the ordinance by launching a petition drive. Owners hope that will convince the Independence City Council to reconsider the ordinance or put it up for a citywide vote.
Augustine said that the new ordinance came about after three pit bulls mauled three people in May. One of those who was mauled remains hospitalized.
http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/news/9788995/detail.html
The new ordinance forbids any new pit bulls in the city. Current owners can keep their dogs provided that they carry an extra $300,000 in liability insurance, among other things.
Jessica Poindexter told Augustine that she is having a difficult time finding insurance, and she said she is not alone.
It's a blow to my heart, just the fact that they banned them, and that we have to do this and try and find somebody," Poindexter said. "It's extremely frustrating."
Augustine reported that under the new ordinance, pit bull owners have to register and have microchips implanted in their dogs, the animals must be spayed or neutered, and owners must carry extra liability insurance.
A spokeswoman for Allstate Insurance told Augustine that the company will not write a new policy if it is known that a pit bull is in the house. She said the main reason is the potential for risk.
"It's like they're trying to make us eliminate them altogether," Poindexter said.
Poindexter said she and other pit bull owners will try to overturn the ordinance by launching a petition drive. Owners hope that will convince the Independence City Council to reconsider the ordinance or put it up for a citywide vote.
Augustine said that the new ordinance came about after three pit bulls mauled three people in May. One of those who was mauled remains hospitalized.
http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/news/9788995/detail.html